Mount dipping machine



June 14, 1960 E. E. DOTTERER ETAL 2,940,459

MOUNT DIPPING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 9, 1957 ELMER E. DOTTERER WI LBERT E. VANGORDER ATTORNEY June 14, 1960 E. E. DOTTERER ETAL 2,940,459

MOUNT DIPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ss 4o 1 Fig-4 IN VENTORS ELMER E. DOTTERER WILBERT E. VANG RDER BY W ATTORNEY United tates Patent O MOUNT DHPING MACHINE Elmer E. Dotterer and Wilbert E. Van Gorder, Mill Hall,

Pa., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Sylvania Electric Products Inc., Wilmington, Del., a corporation Delaware Filed Dec. 9, 1957, Ser. No. 701,448

7 Claims. (Cl. 134-159) This invention relates to article handling. It relates to a means for multiple clamping of a number of equi-sized objects between sets of fixed and movable clamping elements. More specifically it relates to the handling of articles whereby they may all be temporarily loaded in a tray and inverted while in the tray for some treatment, as, immersed within a cleaning fluid.

In thelmanufacture of electron tubes, it has been found necessary to wash electrode elements after they have been assembled with respect to each other and fixed on to a supporting stem with exhaust tabulation afiixed thereto,

the stemforming the base of the finished tube. This assembly or mount with tubulated stem is subsequently sealed into abulb and after further treatment becomes the finished tube. In the past these mounts with their tubulated stems were: washed by being first placed in trays .with multiple rows of aligned. holes in the upper surface, the lower ends of the exhaust tubes of the stems being received within the holes. These trays were then placed in a loading rack with guide holes at. opposite ends of the rack. Then rectangular bars were individually or in pairs threaded through the holes, one bar for each row of mounts, the bars overlying the stems to prevent their falling out when the trays and racks were inverted. This I was a'rather clumsy time consuming mechanism and also necessitated the multiplication of racks, if more than one tray was prepared for immersion each associated with its rack, as was often the case, even. though the immersions were for a few seconds.

In improved structure suitable for washing mounts is described and claimed in the application of Elmer E. Dotterer et al., Serial No. 616,812, filed October 18,. 1-95 6, assignedto the assignee of the instant application, to which reference may be made for a fuller disclosure. Therein a multiple number of pairs of clamping bars are mountedin a swinging tray holder, which bars are auto-- matically moved relatively to each other to clamp tubula tions between respective pairs of bars as the tray holder is inverted to immerse the mounts in the fluid.

An object of this invention is to simplify the mechanismwhich clamps the tubulations while still etficiently Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the tray holding frame;

Fig. 3 is a view of a fragmental portion of the tray;

2,940,459 Patented June 14 196D lee,

Fig. 4 is aside elevation of the machine'with'the' frame in tray loading position;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through one of the bars showing the bores for retaining the tubulations;

Fig. 6 is a front view showing the tray in a position wherein the tubulations are not clamped and Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the tray in'tubulation clamping position.

Now referring to the drawing in greater detail at\ 10 there is indicated a framework having a table top ,11 supporting a tank 12 adapted to contain a cleansing solution. Toward the rear of the tank is a shaft 14 mounted in hearings on the top 15 of the tank. This shaft is fixedly secured within the rearwardly extending ends of two spacers 16 and 18 as by screws 20, the spacers acting in the fashion of a way or guide for a tray. Fastened to one end of the shaft is a sprocket wheel 22 linked by a sprocket chain 24 to a second sprocket wheel 26 in turn fixed to a shaft 28 on which is mounted a drum, preferably a spoked sheave 30. Fastened to the frame adjacent the sheave is a plate 32 mounting a pair of guide rolls 34. A spanner 36 is secured to two of the spokes as by screws 38 and it bridges the space between the spokes. A cable 40 has one end threaded through an opening in the sheave circumference and terminates at the bar, it being secured to the same by a cleat 42 or the like. The cable is adapted to extend around approximately a quarter of the circumference of the sheave and between the tworollers 34; Thence the cable passes downwardly into a guard can 44 wherein the cable is fixed to a weight 46 loose within the can and acting as a counterweight for the parts rotatable with the shaft '14. The spacers 16 and 18 have fixed thereto below the spacers, as seen in Fig. 2, a support plate 48 recessed at its forward end as at 50. Also on the forward end of the plate 48 are two guide strips 52 and 54, the strip 52 having a vertical guide face aligned with an inner vertical face of the spacer 18 and the strip 54 having a vertical guide face oifset inwardly from an inner face of spacer "16.

readed through the spacer 16 is at least one adjustable stop 56. The slotted face of strip 54 is so displaced rela tive to the stop that when a tray, as tray 58, is slid along the plate 48 and between the strips 52 and 54, its motion will not be arrested by coming into engagement with the stops 56. The tray itself comprises a baseboard 60, having a width slightly less than the spacing of the strips 52 and 54, atop which is secured a block 62 somewhat smaller in width and length than the baseboard. On the upper surface of the block is a numberof parallel bars 64 each provided with equally spaced bores 66 with the flaring months 68 into which may be thrust slender articles 70 such as the exhaust tubulations of mounts and which are parts of electronic tubes during a stage in their manufacture. These tabulations are received loosely in the bores 66 and would normally fall out were the trays inverted from the position of Fig. 5.

Fastened to the upper edges of the spacers 16 and 18 is a tripartite laminated structure 71 comprising a pair of top and bottom layers 72 and 74 of rigid material and an intermediate layer of resilient material 76, such as soft rubber. The laminated structure described is slotted to provide fingers However, the resilient layer 76 on one side of the fingers extends laterally beyond the top and bottom layers of the fingers. The holes in the several bars 64 are so lined up that when the tray is thrust in between the spacers 16 and 18, the articles extending up from the bars will align themselves in therfree space between the fingers as illustrated in Fig. 6. The tray is slid in until the rear end comes up against any suitable stop, but the front edge of the tray will overlie the recessed portion 50 of the support plate 48 so that the ophen h my m enough mass to permi't thelunloaded frame'to. remain in F erators fingers may easily grasp the tray to pull the same 1 exposed ends of the articles and adjacent .the exposed out from the hollow frame which comprises a flat hollow member'provided, saliently, with the side spacers 16 and 18 and top and bottom members 71 and 48. 'When the tray 'isrslid-into the frame; the block 62 on :the side of the 6 strip 54' is spaced from thestop. 56. TToefiecticlamping I of the articles between thetray andl-th'e,frame',;the tray 'is shifted laterally toward the stp'f56. ,This, causes 'the ,arfielgsIgis glass tubulations'm heldlby thetbars toirnove a level intermediate the topof the tray andthetop, of the ends of the articles, a'plungerslidable in the frame and in a direction transverse to.the way to engage a; tray within the way, and means to move the plunger to cause the tray to move laterallyin the way in order to eifect clamping of the elongated articles against the fingers.

2. An article washing imechanism comprising a tank,

a frame il a ahle 91 tanlsi n gl syia a Way for laterally against the rubber 7 6 distortingthe 'ame' here receiving a tray substantially narrower than'thevvay and it engages the-tubulations. Undue pressure on the? glass tubulatiohs is inhibited bythe stop 56 limitingrthe movement ofthe tray and therefore limiting penetration of the tubulationsinto .theIrubberQ .To effect the lateralnshiiting which traylisw adaptedto befloaded with longitudinal rows {of vertically elongated spaced-l articleslwith' ends projectfing above the level of the" tray, said rows being parallel to the way and the articles being held against substantial :of the tray there is provided a motor hieanghere'illuslateral mo'tidnflaterallyisfiaced fingers fijreditfirthe frame,

tratedas a pair of air motors 8 0, mountedin recesses 82 t cut;into the' lafninated' top plate 71 and the supportpla'te f 'lhe niotorcylinders may conveniently'b'e supported by the top plate and support plate 48-by istraps v84v span- 7 ning the rec esses 82 and engaged atftheir ends to theltop endsof the article w surface of the top plate and to the undersurfacefof'plate -48; lntermediatetheir ends the straps are securedto end caps 86 onthe motorcylinders. Withinthe'cyhnders are resilient meansj extending laterally .fromtheafingers each parallel to the *way'*andj ina planeabovethe way on a level intermediate the top of thetray and the top of the exposed ends; oflthe' articles; andi 'adjacent the exposed plunger 'slidabl'iiilthe'flfranie-and in a'direetion transverselto theivay tofengage -aStray 7 within the way;'andjmeans to move'the pluuger tolcause thetray to move laterally in 'thewayin orderito street "clamping of the eldngatedf articles 33 2 111 1 5? fth fresili nt -spacer"18 and have abutments 92 for engaging the tray means on thefingers; 5

.block and thrusting the tray to the left as viewed in Fig. 7

a The motor is connected by fle iiblehoses 9410' aconventional type' of valve housedinvalve box 96,.thevalve's being operated by means oftheir valve stem, 98 to cause 3 Y 7 p i air to flow to ove both 'of the pistons 'eitherto the right elongated" articles 1 held in the tray "against, sub or left,.'as viewed-iin Fig. 6. On the sheave 30 there is an 7 angle-bar 100 adjust ably carrying a valve stem operating ,stud 102 adaptedto engage and depress the valve stem wrapped partway about the sheave, theframe is in loadingposition and themotor: abutments arewith'drawn The counterweight is'. of small the position shown in Fig. 1. However the counterweight is'heavy enough to maintain the frame in atsubstantially sheave Cable and weight "arrangement gthe frame 7 and; plungerslidable inthe frame and'jin a dir'ectiont .loaded tray will alsobe gravitationallyfretainedin their H v V V V a 'to move the plunger to cause aninserted tray o m inverted-positions displaced 180 from the loading posi 'tionof theframe and with the mounts held by the tray elongatedfiarti cles betweengthetra fi removablejtray within and substantial I the way and 'adaptd'to be loaded i {the wayand adapted to bel'oaded 3. An article: washingmechanism comprisin a tank, a frame oscillatableon V the tank 1 and having re e vi r 'svl st mial r i i 1h which 'tray is-ad'ap'tedto be loadedwiflirows'o ve lateral motion, spaced fingers fixed ohthe "fr Pa le to t e w ii a afi la 'a i plunger slidable in thefrla'me and'ina'directio tra t way 9 asa a a t lid nt hsi e to move the'eplunger to cause-f inserted; laterally in theiway in'order, o tfect cla 4. 'An'art'icle' washingjrnechanismfcoinpris a frameloscillatable on the tank and-'havf elongated articles held in the; tray g against sub parallel to theway and iii-a; time above the" t6 th Way t0 engage;a a slidetilitfijthl'wayi an ove T the laterally in the way inlorder to elfect' l LeIongate'd'aIticIes between the tray and J 5. An article washing mechanism compr sing e tray "w hi and b as allfae 'th rowso f vertl any elongated articles h eld inthei' tray aga' st? 1a fiame'oseillatable ,onth'e magnahaylng a fa' "framelis' adjacent theivertical position, and this trough is emptied by a drainage hose 110.- Stops" 112 are pro hen the salat i nrs flqe fi i sisf is fltii l parallel'tothe' way and inka plane above th way a catchanyf drainage from the washed'mounts; 7

plunger slidable in the frame 5 and' 'i'n antenna "'ment thereof, what is claimed is: 7 t

1; An tarticletwashing mechanism comprising a tank,

vided to limit theinv'erting movement of the fraingthe stopsvengaging the top plate 72 ofrthe frame when it is verse to'the way to engage atray slidinto theway,

inverted. Angle irons 114.attached to the top plate on laterallyin the way intorder toeflfect clamping of' 'the the tank are provided on the loading side of the tank to support the frame when it is in loading position, the top r 15 for this purpose having projections 1 16 extending tof ward the loading side of the tank. a p I 'Havingdisclosed the invention and the best'embodi-f frame extendinglat'erallyilfrom saidshaft, antl fastfim a'frarne oscillatable on: the tank and having a way for receiving a tray substantiallynarro'vver than the way and V which tray is adapted to be loadedwith longitudinal rows 7 fthe ormen m, a 'counte'fw ght l si of'vertically elongated spaced articles with ends project ing above the level of.the'tray,.- said rows being parallel a to'the way andthe articles being held against substantial lateral motion, laterally spaced fingers fixed on the frame, e hr a sw em a ain ai a e t e. e is) $15 a sh ft l it b i i i a a elongated articles betweenthe my and theffingers',i and an adjustable stop threaded into the frame 'in position-to i limit the lateral movement of the tray. l i 'z ,6. Atank, a'shaftirotatably mounted onsaid tahk a its upper end "liassingever'aq aciranr j means a "to move the plunger to cause'an inserted trayitofmove V the tank, a flat hollow frame extending horizontally laterally from the shaft and away from the tank in a position to facilitate the loose reception of a tray which tray is adapted to be loaded with laterally extending rows of elongated articles held loosely therein and having exposed ends projecting above the level of the hollow frame, said hollow frame having laterally extending fingers adapted to be positioned adjacent the projecting ends of the rows of articles, means on the frame operative to shift the tray in a direction to cause the articles to engage the fingers to be clamped against movement relative to the tray, said tray being invertible while the articles are so clamped to bring the projecting ends of said articles into the tank and means for counterbalancing said frame, said counterbalancing means comprising a drum in driven relationship with said shaft, a pair of guide rolls in side by side relationship and positioned below the drum and with axes in planes close to the axis of the drum, a counterweight and a cable having its upper end fastened to the drum, and adapted to lie on the arcuate surface thereof, passing between the guide rolls and having its lower end fastened to the counterweight.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 253,590 Raoul Feb. 14, 1882 295,715 Baker Mar. 25, 1884 718,605 Copenhaver Jan. 20, 1903 1,320,420 Shay NOV. 4, 1919 1,397,931 Kurtz Nov. 22, 1921 1,422,924 Cantwell July 18, 1922 1,667,616 Wright Apr. 24, 1928 1,735,539 Krause Nov. 12, 1929 2,441,208 Roeder May 11, 1948 

